Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 28: The District Congress Committee staged a protest at Clock Tower on Monday, April 28, against the Modi-led central government over the rising prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas.
The rally began at Dr B R Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi) and proceeded to Clock Tower, where Congress leaders addressed the gathering.
District Congress president Harish Kumar, addressing the protestors, said, "It has been over a decade since Prime Minister Modi came to power, and the prices of petrol, diesel, and gas have consistently increased. When Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister, petrol cost around Rs 60, and even then, we protested. Now, with prices crossing Rs 100, some say they would rather push their vehicles for the sake of the nation. Ironically, when a state government increases fuel prices by Rs 2, the same people take to the streets in protest."
He continued, "Recently, the BJP staged a protest, and on the same day, gas prices were increased by Rs 50 — a tight slap to the BJP. They should be protesting against their own government, not the Congress. Shobha Karandlaje, who once protested on the streets, is now silent and nowhere to be seen. Modi spoke of acche din (better days), but the common man hasn’t experienced them — only Modi, Amit Shah, Adani, and Ambani seem to be enjoying those days."
Former MLA Ramanath Rai added, "The government is not taking the burden of the price hike on the public seriously. BJP president Vijayendra claims that rising crude oil prices are to blame, which shows his ignorance and lack of awareness — clearly, he doesn’t read newspapers. The Congress has never allowed injustice to the poor and backward communities. The Pahalgam terror attack was politicized, even as Modi was busy delivering election speeches in Bihar. He once claimed that the Rs 2,000 note had a chip in it — and now, that note has disappeared entirely."
Former MLA J R Lobo, Congress leaders Padmaraj, Sahul Hameed, and others were also present at the protest.